Issues and Solutions Concerning Social Insurance in Shenzhen for Hong Kong and Macao Residents - from the Perspective of Talent Flow in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

摘要

Whether Hong Kong and Macao residents employed in the Greater Bay Area can participate in social insurance and enjoy the social insurance treatment is a problem worthy of attention. However, previous studies on this topic remain largely outdated, fragmented, and theoretical. This study, taking Hong Kong and Macao residents working in Shenzhen as the research object, explores the social insurance laws and regulations applicable to them, as well as the current situation of their participation in social insurance in Shenzhen. Law interpretation and in-depth interviews are adopted as research methods. We found that Hong Kong and Macao residents working in Shenzhen face three types of barriers in participating social insurance: discrimination in treatment, restrictions in usage, and restriction in transition. Four solutions to the barriers are suggested: to protect workers' right to participate in social insurance in the form of legislation; to launch the voucher scheme to guarantee the healthcare and maternity treatment; to establish the mutual recognition of social insurance benefits, and to establish information exchange platform. The findings have policy implications for the development of social insurance, and offer guidance for collaboration with cities in the Greater Bay Area to promote talents flow and economic development.